Siamese: What a Unique Breed! Your cat is special! She senses your moods, is curious about your day, and has purred her way into your heart. Chances are that you chose her because you like Siamese and you expected her to have certain traits that would fit your lifestyle, like: May meow to communicate with you Energetic and playful A good companion and pet Good with children and other pets Has a short, easy-to-care-for coat Highly intelligent and able to learn tricks However, no cat is perfect! You may have also noticed these characteristics: Very talkative, has an opinion about everything May want to constantly be involved in your activities People-oriented and should not be left alone for long periods of time Is it all worth it? Of course! She's full of personality, and you love her for it! She is passionate about people and will involve herself in everything you are doing. The Siamese was exported from Siam, now Thailand, in the late 1800’s. They have striking blue eyes and an attractive two-toned coat. Siamese cats like to talk in their characteristic loud and low pitched voice. They are one of the most extroverted and social cats in the world, enjoying the company of people of all ages. They also get along well with other cats and dogs. Siamese are most intelligent, easily learning tricks such has fetching, walking on a leash and opening cabinets. PET MEDICAL CENTER 501 E. FM 2410 ● Harker Heights, Texas 76548 (254) 690-6769 www.pet-medcenter.com General Health Information for your Siamese Weight Management Obesity is a major disease that contributes to a surprisingly large number of illnesses and deaths in cats. This revelation is more well-known and well-understood today than in the last few decades, but too many owners are still ignoring the dangers of extra weight on their pets. Excess weight is one of the most influential factors in the development of arthritis, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases. Everyone knows—many firsthand from personal experience— how even shedding just a few pounds can result in improved mobility and increased overall motivation to be active. And the same is true for your pet. Research suggests that carrying excess weight may shorten a pet’s life by as much as two years, and can cause the onset of arthritis two years sooner. Diabetes, an inherited disease, has a Your Siamese's Health much higher chance of developing in overweight pets, and may We know that because you care so much about your cat, you never become a problem for a healthy-weight cat. The more want to take great care of her. That is why we have obese a cat becomes, the more likely it will become diabetic. summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you Hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver, is another potentially fatal over the life of your Siamese. By knowing about the health disease in overweight pets; hepatic lipidosis can develop in as concerns common among Siamese, we can help you tailor an few as 48 hours when an overweight cat stops eating for any individual preventive health plan and hopefully prevent some reason. predictable risks in your pet. So how can we help our pets stay trim? Understanding your Many diseases and health conditions are genetic, meaning they cat's dietary habits is key. The average cat prefers to eat about are related to your pet’s breed. The conditions we will describe 10-15 times a day, just a few nibbles at a time. This method, here have a significant rate of incidence or a strong impact free-feeding, works well for most cats, but boredom may upon this breed particularly, according to a general consensus increase the number of trips your cat makes to the food bowl. among feline genetic researchers and veterinary practitioners. By keeping your cat playfully active and engaged, you'll help This does not mean your cat will have these problems, only that your pet stay healthy and have some fun at the same time! A she may be more at risk than other cats. We will describe the string tied to a stick with something crinkly or fuzzy on the most common issues seen in Siamese to give you an idea of other end of the string, and a little imagination—you and your what may come up in her future. Of course, we can’t cover cat will both be entertained. Food puzzles, like kibbles put in a every possibility here, so always check with us if you notice paper bag or under an overturned basket or box, may help to any unusual signs or symptoms. motivate cats with more food-based interests to romp and tumble. This guide contains general health information important to all For really tough cases of overeating, you will have to take a felines as well as information on genetic predispositions for firm stance, and regulate your cat’s food intake. Instead of Siamese. The information here can help you and your pet’s filling your cat’s bowl to the top, follow the feeding guide on healthcare team plan for your pet’s unique medical needs the food package and be sure to feed a high-quality adult cat together. At the end of the booklet, we have also included a diet as recommended by your vet. Replace your cat's habits of description of what you can do at home to keep your Siamese eating when bored with extra playtime and affection. Cats looking and feeling her best. We hope this information will typically adjust their desires for personal interaction by the help you know what to watch for, and we will all feel better amount of affection offered to them, so in other words, knowing that we’re taking the best possible care of your friend. ignoring your cat means your cat will ignore you. By the same token, loving on and playing with your cat a lot will cause your cat to desire that time with you. A more active cat means a healthier, happier pet—and owner! Dental Disease Dental disease is one of the most common chronic problems in pets who don’t have their teeth brushed regularly. Unfortunately, most cats don’t take very good care of their own teeth, and this probably includes your Siamese. Without extra help and care from you, your cat is likely to develop potentially a thorough dental exam to look for stomatitis, these procedures serious dental problems. Dental disease starts with food can be conveniently performed at the same time as the spay or residue, which hardens into tartar that builds up on the visible neuter to minimize the stress on your cat. Routine blood testing parts of the teeth, and eventually leads to infection of the gums prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions and tooth roots. Protecting your cat against dental disease from against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical the start by removing food residue regularly may help prevent risk. It sounds like a lot to keep in mind, but don’t worry - we’ll or delay the need for advanced treatment of dental disease. This discuss all the specific problems we will look for with you treatment can be stressful for your cat and expensive for you, when the time arrives. so preventive care is beneficial all around. In severe cases of chronic dental infection, your pet may even lose teeth or sustain damage to internal organs. And, if nothing else, your Genetic Predispositions for Siamese cat will be a more pleasant companion not knocking everyone Amyloidosis over with stinky cat breath! We’ll show you how to keep your An amyloid is a type of protein compound that can cause cat's pearly whites clean at home, and help you schedule disease by abnormally collecting inside of tissues and organs. It regular routine dental exams. is the same protein that builds up in the brains of human Vaccine-Preventable Infections Alzheimer’s patients. In cats, amyloids are more likely to Like all cats, Siamese are susceptible to bacterial and viral accumulate in the abdominal organs, especially the kidneys, infections such as panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, liver, and pancreas. This buildup of protein clogs the organ and and rabies, which are preventable through vaccination. The risk causes organ failure. Signs of organ failure may appear on of your cat contracting these diseases is high, so the blood or urine tests, but a tissue biopsy is the only way to corresponding vaccines are called “core” vaccines, which are specifically diagnose amyloidosis as the cause of the failure. highly recommended for all cats. In addition, vaccines are There is no effective treatment for amyloidosis as a disease, but available to offer protection from other dangerous diseases like we can use diet and medication to support the function of feline leukemia virus (FeLV). In making vaccination affected organs. recommendations for your cat, we will consider the prevalence Megaesophagus of these diseases in our area, your cat’s age, and any other risk The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth into factors specific to her lifestyle. the stomach by a series of contractions after swallowing. If the Parasites esophagus doesn't contract properly to move food down, All kinds of worms and bugs can invade your Siamese's body, however, it can become stretched out to “mega” size, so that inside and out. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can food remains in the esophagus instead of going down into the infest her skin and ears.